January 6, 2010
Wart’s the Problem?
Warts are harmless skin growth caused by mildly contagious common virus, specifically the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are rough, thick papules that can develop solitarily or in large numbers. HPV can be contracted through direct and indirect contact, and the virus most commonly enters the body through areas of the skin that are moist, cracked, or peeling, and certainly not by contact with toads as legends has it.. The incubation period of the average wart is 2 to 9 months following infection. Warts are generally benign but some types can cause pain and discomfort.
Left untreated, almost any wart will go away without treatment but it can take two years for that to happen. However, there are several treatment methods that can decrease discomfort and speed up the process. Some warts may require repeated treatments because they commonly reoccur and are quite difficult to eradicate completely.
One option is through physical removal, such as scraping and burning, and must be performed by a medical professional. These procedures may include the use of liquid nitrogen, laser, or surgical curettage.
There are over-the-counter wart treatment solutions that are available in the market. Salicylic acid is usually the active ingredient of these medications which is proven to speed up the healing process considerably.
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December 22, 2009
Celebrating Christmas with Pets
Christmas is not only for us humans. Our furry little friends should also enjoy the festivities. After all, Jesus was surrounded by animals like donkeys, cows, sheep and camels when He was born more than two thousand years ago. There are many ways to include our pets in the celebration. Give them special treats to nibble on while you are having Christmas Dinner . Dress them up (as santa, elves, or reindeer) and take pictures. Don’t just let them stare at you while opening your presents, buy them something special, a toy, a new leash, or an outfit, and don’t forget to wrap it too!
Some decorations may pose danger to our pets. Make sure that strings of lights are high enough to be out of their reach as they love to play with hanging and dangling objects. Unplug Christmas tree lights when you are not around to avoid electrocution in case your pet nibbled on the wires. Don’t leave lighted candles unattended. Pets might knock them off while playing.
Think twice before getting Holiday plants for decorations. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias can be toxic to animals when ingested. Make sure that there are no wrapped boxes of chocolates under the tree . Your pets might munch on them. Chocolates have theobromine which is toxic to many animals. Properly dispose of ribbons and packaging strings as these could pose problems when ingested by pets.
Have yourself and your furry little friends a safe and happy Christmas!
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December 17, 2009
No stress for your tresses
The hair is our crowning glory. But sometimes, hair care can get, well, a little hairy. There are many products available in the market that promise shiny, silky, terrific-smelling tresses when you use them. However, it is important that you use products that are right for your hair type. A shampoo, for instance, that works for your friend might not necessarily work for you. Pay more attention to product labels and carefully follow directions on proper usage. If your hair is colored, permed or relaxed, use products that are safe for chemically-treated hair. In case of dandruff or hair loss, consult your dermatologist for proper and immediate treatment.
Take caution when undergoing hair treatments. These procedures use strong chemicals and if you are allergic to the active ingredients, you might go home with itching and burning sensation on your skin. To prevent this, go to a reputable salon. They do skin tests before performing hair treatments.
But even the highest-quality hair care products and latest treatments will not work if you don’t eat a balanced diet. Proper nourishment is essential to healthy and beautiful hair. Eat food high in protein, calcium and Vitamins A, B and E.
Don’t blow dry your hair too much, frequent exposure to the heat of the blower can dry out hair moisture and cause split ends. Excessive brushing (the old wives’ tale saying 100 brush strokes a day make a healthy head of hair is not true!) is also not advisable. The best way to disentangle hair is with the a comb, using gentle strokes.
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December 16, 2009
Picking a pet for your kids
Getting a pet is a huge responsibility. You don’t just buy a puppy from some pet shop because you think it is cute! Or give it as a present to your six-year-old daughter because you heard her say that she wants a Chihuahua just like Paris Hilton’s. Pets are not things that we can discard when we don’t like it anymore. Pet shelters are already crowded with unwanted animals and this has got to stop, now!
Pet ownership involves huge responsibilities. Below are valuable tips for parents who are considering getting a pet for their kids.
Make sure your child is mature enough to care for the pet. Ideal age would be 5 years and above. Younger children don’t have the maturity to control aggressive and compulsive impulses and must be monitored with a pet at all times. However, older kids still need to be taught how to care for a pet and the responsibilities that come with owning a pet, including time spent exercising, grooming and playing. Parents should not expect children to take full responsibility for a pet. They should to be willing to shoulder the responsibility if the child can’t.
You should be prepared for the financial responsibility of taking care of a pet. Set money aside to have if the animal needs medical care. Pets need annual exams and vaccinations, food, toys, treats, beds, crates, leashes, collars, etc.
Before trooping to the pet shop, research on the internet the various animals and breeds that may interest you and your kids. Know all the details about the animal of your choice like grooming, exercise requirements, feeding, temperament, etc, and make sure it will match the kind of lifestyle your family leads. And when you finally get the pet of your choice, teach your kids to treat the animal just like a member of the family.
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June 22, 2009
Nauseous arrrrrgh
I’m recovering from a terrible bout with food poisoning. Partly my fault so I’m not gonna blame anybody. I was down with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping for the last couple of days but I’m getting a lot better.
I hope I had my own food taster just like important personalities in the world like President Obama. According to a report from http://www.presidentialmansion.com, The American President caused a stir among the chefs at posh La Fontaine de Mars restaurant in Paris when he sent his personal food taster into the kitchen to test his meal. The chefs raised their eyebrows when a Secret Service agent inspected Obama’s roast lamb and First Lady Michelle’s beef fillet before the dishes were served. But the chefs eventually understood, the report said.
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June 2, 2009
Healthy meals at the Presidential Mansion
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is one of the most popular addresses in the world. I, personally, would like to visit it one day and maybe have dinner with its equally famous inhabitants. If you are wondering what the most powerful man and his family are eating on the Presidential Mansion’s dining table, http://www.presidentialmansion.com provide information about that.
Cristeta Pasia Comerford, the Filipino executive chef at the White House revealed that President Barack Obama likes simple meals with fish, steamed vegetables and brown rice. The Obamas. particularly the first lady Michelle Obama, believes on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families and requested Comerford to prepare such meals.
The executive chef try to utilize most of the produce from the White House vegetable garden and use grass-fed beef and natural-fed chicken, the first family’s preferred meats. Her creamed spinach that contains no cream was well-praised by the first lady.
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May 29, 2009
Acai Total Burn: the Acai product that really works!!!
The craze over acai berry products is just overwhelming. They are everywhere: on TV (thanks to Oprah and Rachel Ray), the internet and health food stores in varying forms such as tablets, juice, smoothies, instant drink powders, and whole fruit. Marketers of these products claim that acai berries contain tremendous amounts of antioxidants that are beneficial to maintaining and restoring good health. Some of the most popular benefits of acai products are its cleansing and weight loss properties.
I didn’t actually believe it at first, but a friend highly recommends it. She’s been taking Acai Total Burn tablets which worked wonders on her, she lose weight and looks healthy and vibrant. I decided to give the 15-day trial a go, after all, it’s worth a try at $5.95. I spent more on my last trip to Starbucks!
My life has changed after receiving my trial bottle. All I can say is Acai Total Burn really works! I felt and saw immediate improvement on my health. I feel more energetic during the day and sleep soundly at night. My skin is more supple and yes, I lose a few inches on my waistline. I recommend this product to everyone, get here!
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April 3, 2009
Chocolate Coated Banana
We love bananas! Aside from being yummy, bananas are natural remedies for many diseases such as anemia, constipation, painfuf PMS, depression and high blood pressure. A banana has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals compared to an apple. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.
And to make banana-eating even more exciting, my friend Shaun Olmstead shares this easy and yummy Chocolate Coated Banana recipe.
Ingredients:
• ripe but firm bananas
• 6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped, or semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup granola, chopped pecans and walnuts, or sprinkles (optional)
Procedures:
• Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment paper.
• Peel the bananas and insert a Popsicle stick into each half. Place them on the baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the chocolate with the oil in a Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave (check it every 30 seconds) or in a half-full pan of simmering water (about 2 minutes). Stir until smooth.
• Roll each banana half in the chocolate, then quickly sprinkle with the topping of your choice.
• Freeze until the chocolate sets, for about 30 minutes. Serve or freeze in an airtight container for up to a week.
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April 1, 2009
Food Safety
A month ago or so, peanut butter products were recalled. Now, pistachio nuts and related products are being banished from supermarket shelves because of reports of Salmonella contamination. What’s happening? These are two of my favorite food items! Obviously, there are some problems in enforcing food safety laws in our country.
President Barack Obama, in his recent speech, said that he will be enforcing tougher food safety measures to stop further outbreaks. He is creating a Food Safety Working Group to ensure that laws are not only created but also enforced.
I hope this Group and its effort work out for the best. Food is supposed to provide us with sustenance, not maim us with diseases. I’ll be following the President’s and his Food Safety Working Group’s initiative at http://www.presidentialmansion.com.
March 26, 2009
The Love Apple
The tomato is the most popular fruit in the world. It is the key ingredient in 78% of Americans’ most favorite recipes. It is also one of the vegetables that contribute the greatest amount of nutrients to the American diet.
Tomatoes are rich in Lycopene, an antioxidant, which gives tomatoes their rich red color. Lycopene was found to reduce the risk for certain cancers and heart disease.
These versatile fruits are delectable raw or cooked and can be used in everything from pasta and pizza to Bloody Mary’s and barbecue sauce and can be stuffed, boiled, stewed, pureed, deviled, glazed, pickled, grilled and fried.
Tomatoes were found to have originated from the South American Andes as a wild plant with berry-sized fruits. The tomato fruit, as we know it today, was developed in Mexico where it was known as tomatil and was brought to Europe by the conquistadors.
According to my friend Shaun Olmstead, tomatoes are called poma amoris in Italian, which means “love apple” and are considered aphrodisiacs.
Easy and Healthy Tomato Salad
Ingredients:
1 pound ripe tomatoes, sliced
1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
Preparation:
Slice tomatoes and arrange on a small platter or medium plate. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice. Add pepper and sprinkle basil.
Serves 4-6
Per Serving: Calories 42, Calories from Fat 13, Total Fat 1.5g (sat 0.3g), Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 157mg, Carbohydrate 6.3g, Fiber 1.2g, Protein 1g
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Drift, Stroll & Wander 
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